When someone says they are a firefighter, most of us can conjure up an image of the turnout coats, helmets, and firehoses. However, there is a vast difference in training and gear when responding to a burning house in a cul-de-sac and a fifth-floor walkup apartment in a densely populated city. HAIX® knows that many jobs within the fire industry have unique demands that require specialized features. The job is always tough, so we created this simple feature review of our most tried and trusted boots. Safe, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed—these are the HAIX® hallmarks.
Top-Down Conviction, Foundational Design
When shoe-cobbler and firefighter Ewald Haimerl decided the fire boots worn by his Mainburg Fire Brigade colleagues were too uncomfortable and outdated, he put his master shoe making skills to work. Ewald’s two passions—making great shoes and firefighting—resulted in a multi-functional, all-leather fire boot that quickly became a hit, not only in Mainburg, but around the region. Ewald understood what makes a great fire boot. And because footwear is all we do, we can focus all our creativity, research, and quality control toward our top-of-the-line firefighter bunker boots.
Common Features: Leather and Sole
In our case, “common” doesn’t mean ordinary. Widely accepted as an upgrade over rubber, we took things a step further, using thicker and more durable bullhide. Though more durable can mean less pliable out of the box, any firefighter will tell you that a boot that maintains its shape is worth every penny. Sun-Reflect technology keeps the boot 20% cooler than our competitors in direct sunlight by adding special reflective elements during the tanning process—the same leather high-end German car manufacturers use on their seats. How’s that for high-performance engineering?
We protected our leather, and your feet, with Gore-Tex® CROSSTECH® technology, making our boots both waterproof and chemical hazard splash resistant so your feet stay safe, cool, and dry from the outside in and the inside out. Moisture wicking insoles chase sweat into puncture resistant inner soles. Just allow your boots to air-dry after use for continual comfort that perfectly complements our unique Climate System. Memory foam in the boot shaft acts as a ventilation system when in motion. Speaking of movement, the Secura liner remains firmly in place with minimal stitching and gluing—perfect for the wear and tear of regularly climbing in and out of bunker boots.
Now we come to ground contact; the all-important outer sole. We deliver industry-firsts in both of our production models. In 1992, Ewald Haimerl patented the MSL-System for injecting polyurethane foam into the cemented, or glued, sole. This layer of spray foam (think high-end house construction) means that you feel the cushion but don’t feel the elements. With no direct points of contact between the inner and outer soles, and therefore no thermal bridging, you experience the best insulation on the market. For the more athletic fit and lighter sole, we fuse the entire outer sole to the footbed using a high heat, high pressure process. A special, hard-wearing Polyurethane is molded around the boot, eliminating the need for glue, resulting in exceptionally strong sole adhesion.
And (literally) rounding out these key features is the TPU toe cap, wrapped over the composite or steel safety toe, accommodating the need to stay low and protected when responding to a fire.
So Which Boots are Right for You?
Durable and Traditional
What do those two words mean to you? If your answer falls somewhere in the range of “everything,” we have a line of fire boots that are almost as durable as you. Fire Hero Xtreme, Fire Hunter Xtreme and Fire Hunter USA are three of our most trusted boots, with good reason. The Fire Hero Xtreme has a sole designed with suction-cup action, providing exceptional traction on wet surfaces. This boot also offers a raised arch for better stability on ladder rungs and a cemented sole with polyurethane foam injection for added insulation from heat and cold.
The Fire Hunter Xtreme is the boot that many veterans of the profession trust. It’s the service boot with the fit and comfort of a lace boot. Ankle flexion is woven into the design, for added maneuverability while remaining a sturdy, rugged boot.
For those transitioning to leather bunker boots from rubber, or breaking into the high-end boot market, we offer the Fire Hunter USA. With all the trusted comfort, safety and quality found in every HAIX® bunker boot, you can be assured the Fire Hunter USA is a great place to get started with our family of footwear.
Athletic and Customizable
Fire Eagle Air meets the needs of urban and vertical firefighting. Got to climb four sets of stairs, scale up a steep ladder, run the hose around a city block? The flex action in the leather, combined with an athletic, running sole and lightweight design make this a boot for the athletic firefighter. Popular in Europe, the Fire Flash Xtreme is tailor made for a custom fit. The HAIX lacing system, which allows for a quick zipper application after boots are fitted with traditional laces, puts the “flash” in Fire Flash Xtreme. Those with unique fitting requirements have enjoyed the accommodating Fire Flash Xtreme.
The Next Evolution
What do you get when you combine over 30 years of fire boot-making experience and a refusal to settle for second best when it comes to Firefighters and their needs? The Fire Eagle Xtreme.
Our most advanced boot to date, and the most innovative boot on the market, the Fire Eagle Xtreme will be unveiled at FDIC International 2023. Believe us when we say firefighter footwear will never be the same.
